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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPaxton says trans Texans can't use court orders to change sex on driver's licenses, birth certificates
You need birth certificates and drivers licenses for a number of things including voting and getting passports. Paxton really wants to be trump's AG or to be in the DOJ.
If a state agency ignores a court order, hopefully the judge will hold that agency in contempt. This is Texas and so I will not hold my breath on a Texas court doing the right thing.
Link to tweet
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/14/texas-trans-drivers-license-birth-certificate-paxton/
State agencies should not honor court orders to change the sex on someones drivers license or birth certificate, according to an opinion filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Friday.
He also said state agencies should retroactively correct any changes theyve made to drivers licenses or birth certificates over the years based on these court orders.
As attorney general, Paxton does not have the authority to tell other state agencies what to do, but this opinion could be cited in future executive or legislative action.
For decades, state agencies have accepted certified court orders to amend a person's sex on government issued documents. The Texas Department of State Health Services accepted court orders to change someones sex on their birth certificate, and the Texas Department of Public Safety allowed changes to drivers licenses if someone presented an amended birth certificate or a court record.
That came to a halt in August for DPS, at least, and the agency asked Paxtons office for an official opinion in September.
Ian Pittman, an attorney who represents transgender Texans, said Paxtons recent finding was not a surprise.
He purports to order things he has no authority to do, Pittman said. Its red meat for the base, but it doesnt legally change anything.
But if history is any guide, Paxtons latest maneuver could cascade into real changes. In 2022, Paxton issued a similar opinion, finding that providing a child with gender-affirming care could be considered child abuse under Texas law. Abbott, citing that opinion, issued an executive order, directing the states child welfare agencies to investigate parents of trans children.
He also said state agencies should retroactively correct any changes theyve made to drivers licenses or birth certificates over the years based on these court orders.
As attorney general, Paxton does not have the authority to tell other state agencies what to do, but this opinion could be cited in future executive or legislative action.
For decades, state agencies have accepted certified court orders to amend a person's sex on government issued documents. The Texas Department of State Health Services accepted court orders to change someones sex on their birth certificate, and the Texas Department of Public Safety allowed changes to drivers licenses if someone presented an amended birth certificate or a court record.
That came to a halt in August for DPS, at least, and the agency asked Paxtons office for an official opinion in September.
Ian Pittman, an attorney who represents transgender Texans, said Paxtons recent finding was not a surprise.
He purports to order things he has no authority to do, Pittman said. Its red meat for the base, but it doesnt legally change anything.
But if history is any guide, Paxtons latest maneuver could cascade into real changes. In 2022, Paxton issued a similar opinion, finding that providing a child with gender-affirming care could be considered child abuse under Texas law. Abbott, citing that opinion, issued an executive order, directing the states child welfare agencies to investigate parents of trans children.
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Paxton says trans Texans can't use court orders to change sex on driver's licenses, birth certificates (Original Post)
LetMyPeopleVote
Friday
OP
Skittles
(162,527 posts)1. doesn't that corrupt fucker have anything better to do
gawd what SICK POS he is
Initech
(104,177 posts)2. Fuck you Ken Paxton!!!
